Garden Zoo

A week or so ago I went to the Melbourne Zoo – specifically to take photographs.  I was disappointed as the place was full of long lines of chattering primary school children with their teachers, most animals were only visible through (dirty) glass, and the elephants and lions were not in their outside areas.  I took a few decent photos, but not enough to make the trip worthwhile.

In contrast my own property is full of interesting creatures, and I can always find something fill my lens.  For instance:-

This Koala was in one of my back garden trees recently, I was alerted to its presence by my dogs barking as they chased it up the tree.  I think it is a relatively young one, and in very good health.  I don’t actually see these very often, and this one did not stay long after it had a short snooze, but they do live in the surrounding forest and I have certainly heard their growling and snorts!

You have seen this bird before……….A Currawong.  There have been a pair in the garden for a while, and I sometimes feed them so they are less frightened of me than one might expect.

In the last week, they have appeared with a young one……..still fluffy although fully grown, it follows them around and squawks constantly for food.  It already has that grumpy look!

Here it is demanding to be fed a strawberry.

The parent birds are omnivorous, and obviously love berries.  Despite careful netting, the raspberries are not safe at all.

It shows no respect for a wooden bird either!

At this time of year my garden is full of young Litoria ewingi, Southern Brown Tree frogs, and a favourite place is amongst the Hydrangea which grow just outside the back door.  These were caught briefly and photographed on a flower pot of moss, which may give an idea of their size – about the size of a finger nail.  All hopped away unharmed.

And then there are the insects……more of which you can see on Fractions in Time so don’t forget to visit the photo blog.

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